BJP MP Kirit Somaiya on Tuesday made a scathing attack against the Shiv Sena alleging that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is being run by a mafia raj. According to Somaiyya, “Whether it is rampant corruption in selling drinking water, road contracts, dumping ground or nulla safai (cleaning of drains)…massive corruption runs into several crores.”

The matter investigated by four different committees in the last few months clearly exposes the nexus between contractors and those running the BMC, he alleged.

“If you ask anybody why corruption goes on, the reply is they have blessings of those in power and their personal assistants,” he said though he did not name the Sena president Uddhav Thackeray or his personal assistant.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Somaiya said, “I am not interested in making any personal allegations against any leaders in Sena. But my point is those running the BMC for 15 years cannot absolve their responsibilities.”

“Today, 15 lakh people are facing major health hazard due to the dumping ground in Deonar. Who is responsible if not those who run BMC? Similarly, how can Mumbaikars justify corruption in the tanker lobby. They pay one paise for water and sell it at Re 1 per litre. How is BMC allowing it without nexus with those in power,” he said.